Which behavior modification technique focuses on reducing undesired behavior?

The behavior modification technique that specifically aims to reduce undesired behavior is negative punishment. This approach involves removing a desirable stimulus following an undesired behavior, which decreases the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future. For example, if a child loses access to a favorite toy for a period of time after misbehaving, the removal of that toy serves as a consequence that discourages the misbehavior.

In contrast, positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior, while escape conditioning refers to a process in which an individual learns to perform a specific behavior to avoid an unpleasant stimulus. Primary reinforcement pertains to stimuli that are inherently rewarding, such as food or water, and does not focus on reducing behavior but rather on encouraging specific desired actions. Thus, negative punishment is the most appropriate technique for targeting the reduction of undesired behaviors.